Freeport says exports go direct to buyers amid Indonesia transit restrictions
The miner supports a proposed single export channel through DSI provided it does not add bureaucratic steps.
PT Freeport Indonesia says it ships mining commodities straight to buyers without routing them through transit countries, as Indonesia's government directs natural-resource exporters to send cargo directly to destination markets.
President director Tony Wenas outlined the company's arrangements at the Minerba Convention & Exhibition 2026 at Jiexpo, in comments reported on 4 November 2026. He said its copper has a specified quality of 99.99 per cent and pricing follows the London Metal Exchange benchmark, making transactions with end-buyers straightforward.
Wenas also gave conditional support to a proposed single export channel through PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI). He said the arrangement would be welcome if DSI acted as an export agent without adding links to the trading chain or creating further bureaucracy.
At the convention in Jakarta on 2 November 2026, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia instructed that natural-resource exports, including coal, should go directly to their destination countries rather than through neighbouring states. He extended the instruction to liquefied natural gas exports to Japan and Korea, arguing that intermediary countries gained tax revenue and trade-balance benefits. Bahlil did not identify the transit country he was criticising.
